Sports TV remains bereft of dignity and common sense

Feeling like a self-tortured soul, I can’t help but imagine the baggage of the two Boeing Starliner astronauts endlessly circling a luggage carousel at Newark Airport due to their delayed return.

Grumpiness has been a constant for me, from 32 to 72, with more reasons to be grumpy now than ever before. The current state of sports and society is filled with troublesome truths that are hard to ignore.

As someone who has been covering broadcast sports since 1982, I can confidently say that today’s world lacks dignity, credibility, honesty, decency, and common sense, with no signs of improvement in sight.

Take, for example, the sorry state of Yankees telecasts, where greedy decisions have led to games disappearing behind paywalls, empty seats in the stadium, and a decline in quality programming. Recent broadcasts have been marked by abandoned standards and repetitive bad decisions.

During a recent Yankees-Rockies game, the commentary took a turn for the worse when home plate umpire Nick Mahrley was hit by a broken bat. The coverage, instead of focusing on the incident itself, was filled with mawkish and unnecessary commentary that did little to enhance the viewer experience.

Similarly, the Little League World Series final on ABC/ESPN was marred by immodest showboating and questionable editorial decisions, further reducing the quality of sports broadcasting.

Overall, the current state of sports media leaves much to be desired, with a focus on sensationalism and spectacle rather than the integrity and spirit of the game.

AP

It’s concerning how the Little League World Series (LLWS) has turned into a platform for kids to imitate the self-centered behavior seen in professional baseball players. The emphasis on individualism and lack of sportsmanship is disheartening.

The coverage of the LLWS by ESPN has only exacerbated this issue. The play-by-play commentary by Karl Ravech during the games lacks the understanding that these are children playing, not professional athletes in a high-stakes game.

One instance that highlights the skewed nature of LLWS coverage was when a young pitcher, visibly upset after being taken out of the game, was shown crying on camera. This clip was later used for entertainment on “SportsCenter,” further humiliating the child.

During the LLWS broadcast on ESPN, viewers were also shown gambling odds for other sports, which seems inappropriate considering the audience. The focus on individual achievements and betting lines detracts from the spirit of youth sports.

The lack of respect for the game and the players is evident in how ESPN chooses to highlight moments of self-promotion rather than teamwork and sportsmanship. This mindset needs to change, starting with how we treat and portray young athletes.

A recent email from an umpire association revealed the challenges faced in youth sports due to the behavior of players, coaches, and spectators. The shortage of umpires is a direct result of the negative environment created by unsportsmanlike conduct.

Despite these challenges, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred continues to promote a culture of showboating and arrogance among professional players. The focus should be on teaching respect for the game and one’s opponents, rather than glorifying individual antics.

Let’s encourage children to play with respect and sportsmanship, rather than rewarding egotistical behavior on the field. That’s the kind of attitude we should be fostering in our young athletes.